Plan the perfect long Easter weekend with a visit to Horrible Histories® Pirates: The Exhibition at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, followed by a delicious lunch at Boathouse No.4

Easter is just 3 weeks away, and with the kids off school and four days to plan, it’s never too early to start thinking about organising a fun-filled weekend for all the family. If you’re within driving distance of Portsmouth this April, you’re in luck. Where better than Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, with its historic ships, fascinating museums, harbour tours, and incredible restaurants to soak up the spring sunshine and keep the young’uns and those young at heart happy!? Whether you’re 8 or 80, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, which is consistently voted as one of the top places to go in the Portsmouth region on TripAdvisor, promises a day out unlike any other, and this April, there’s even more reason to visit.

Landing at the historic dockyard from the 6th April, Horrible Histories® Pirates: The Exhibition gives you and your kids the chance to become pirates and take part in an exciting range of interactive displays based on the bestselling books and popular TV show. Master your pirate lingo, bring your wisecracking parrot companion, and don’t forget to pack your eyepatch and peg leg – this is one day out your kids will be telling all their buddies about when they head back to school.

Giving you and your kids the opportunity to command a pirate ship, take part in gruesome pirate-themed games, and learn all about the fascinating and horrible histories of pirate life, this hilarious journey into the past is jam-packed with over thirty interactive experiences. From touch-screen games and role-playing opportunities to whimsical tours around the dockyard where you’ll get to meet the infamous Blackbeard and his motley crew, this is an experience you certainly won’t want to miss.

Following a bossy parrot and his ratty shipmate around the dockyard, you and your kids will discover all the wicked weapons and terrible tactics used by the legendary pirate Blackbeard. You’ll also decide your fate on the Wheel of Misfortune, get to grips with the rules of the pirate code, design your own pirate flag, and have a good ol’ sing-song in the Pirate Tavern. It’s a pirate’s life for you.

After a morning spent exploring the seven seas, you’ll no doubt be on the lookout for a fantastic place in which to fill your tum. There’s no need to go this way, that way, forwards and backwards when the incredible Boathouse No.4 is just a short stroll away.

Located inside Boat House 4, sit back and enjoy the simply breathtaking views across Portsmouth harbour and the working boatyard as you dig into a hearty meal fit for a pirate queen or king. Serving contemporary English food with produce from local suppliers, enjoy small plates which include cod and chorizo fishcake and malai chicken skewer, and larger plates including the local beer battered cod with chunky tartare sauce and crushed peas, and mussels in Thai green coconut curry, coriander, chilliand Singha beer sauce. There’s also a tempting selection of burgers to choose from including their Warrior burger, comprised of a beef burger on a toasted brioche bun with dry cured bacon, cheddar cheese, and Boathouse mayonnaise, and the Vanguard, a quinoa burger in a toasted pretzel bun with vegan cheese and smoked pepper mayo.